The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a new partnership with North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a historically Black university, to address housing bias and discrimination. This collaboration aims to strengthen the workforce pipeline for future leaders in fair housing policy and litigation. The initiative involves the NCCU School of Law’s Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute, as HUD seeks to work with civil rights organizations, nonprofits, and advocacy groups to combat housing discrimination.
"One of our most important objectives at HUD is to lift up communities that have historically been left behind by enforcing the Fair Housing Act," stated HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. She highlighted the significance of this first-of-its-kind partnership between NCCU's School of Law and HUD’s National Fair Housing Training Academy.
The partnership will enable NCCU law students to join active fair housing practitioners in courses offered through HUD’s National Fair Housing Training Academy (NFHTA). A course on fair housing litigation will be developed for 15 students annually, starting in spring 2025. This course aims to enhance students' understanding of real-world enforcement of fair housing cases. Additionally, NCCU students will be aligned with internship opportunities within HUD-funded agencies.
"In the corridors of academia, where minds are molded and perspectives shaped, HUD recognizes the pivotal role that Historically Black Colleges and Universities play in fostering social justice consciousness," said Diane M. Shelley, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
NCCU launched this partnership during an event at its School of Law focused on racial discrimination history in Durham, North Carolina. Acting Secretary Todman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Shelley, and NCCU School of Law Dean Patricia Timmons-Goodson participated in discussions before signing an official proclamation for the partnership.
"NCCU School of Law is pleased to be the first institution to participate in this form of collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development," expressed Patricia Timmons-Goodson.
Individuals who believe they have experienced housing discrimination can contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 or visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing for more information.
